Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch 6800 10/100/1000 L2/L3 Stackable Ethernet Switches
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Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch 6800 switches are advanced, stackable, fixed-configuration, triple-speed (10/100/1000) Ethernet switches. They provide wire rate layer-2 forwarding and layer-3 routing with advanced services, and 10 Gig support. The OS6800 increases network performance, improves application response times, secures the LAN and enhances user productivity by maximizing network capacity and services over existing category 5/5E/6 cabling.
The OS6800 provides wire rate layer-2 forwarding and layer-3 routing with advanced security, unicast and multicast routing, and comprehensive QoS services. Dynamic user mobility with authentication allows users to connect securely anywhere in the LAN using 802.1x. This, in conjunction with emerging host security technologies, provides a method to verify end users and their device status. The OS6800 also supports Alcatel-Lucent’s Automated Quarantine Engine (AQE), which provides the enterprise the ability to automatically react to network-based attacks, quarantining the offending device throughout the network.
With triple-speed capability, built-in combo ports (four 10/100/1000 and four mini-GBIC) and support for optional wire speed, two port, 10 Gigabit Ethernet modules, the small to large enterprise can now simultaneously protect its
current investment in legacy end devices while providing seamless migration in the future.
A compact, one unit (1U) high form factor, virtual chassis design and a comprehensive set of features makes the OS6800 perfect for the following applications:
- Enterprise workgroups / LAN wiring closets
- Edge deployments and branch offices
- L3 aggregation / distribution layer switches in three-tier networks
- Small enterprise core switching
- Quality of service (QoS) for mission critical applications
- Data center server clusters
OmniSwitch 6800L - Upgrade to Gigabit speeds via s/w key
The OmniSwitch 6800L (OS6800L) switches are the ONLY ones on the market that provide industry leading advanced features and performance at 10/100 speeds that are easily and inexpensively upgraded via a software key to 10/100/1000. Network managers can turn on this Gigabit capability to the desktop on a switch-by-switch basis as their bandwidth needs grow.
The OmniSwitch 6800 switches currently available are:
- OS6800-24, which is a Gigabit Ethernet L3 stackable fixed configuration chassis in a 1U form factor with 24 operational ports. There are 24 10/100/1000 RJ-45 ports and four miniGBIC ports. The last four RJ-45 ports (ports 21-24), and the miniGBIC ports also numbered 21-24) are combo ports providing the user a choice of copper or fiber.*
- OS6800-24L, which is a low-priced, dual-speed (10/100) stackable fixed configuration chassis in a 1U form factor that is upgradeable to GigE through a software license. It provides wire rate layer-2 forwarding and layer-3 routing plus the same advanced security, routing, and QoS services as the OS6800-24. On the OS6800L-24, there are 24 operational ports on the switch. 20 are 10/100 RJ-45 ports (software key upgradeable to 10/100/1000), four are 10/100/1000 RJ-45 combo ports (ports 21–24), and there are four miniGBIC combo ports (also numbered 21-24) providing the user a choice of copper or fiber.*
- OS6800-48, which is a Gigabit Ethernet L3 stackable fixed configuration chassis in a 1U form factor with 48 operational ports plus support for an optional two port 10G module. There are 48 10/100/1000 RJ-45 ports and four miniGBIC ports The last four RJ-45 ports (ports 45-48), and the miniGBIC ports (also numbered 45-48) are combo ports providing a choice of copper or fiber.*
- OS6800-48L which is a low-priced, dual-speed (10/100) stackable fixed configuration chassis in a 1U form factor that is upgradeable to GigE through a software license. It provides wire rate layer-2 forwarding and layer-3 routing plus the same advanced security, routing, and QoS services as the OS6800-48. The OS6800-48L has 48 operational ports of which 44 are 10/100 RJ-45 ports (software key upgradeable to 10/100/1000) plus support for an optional two port 10G module. For the four remaining ports 45-48), the user has an option of copper (10/100/1000 RJ-45) or miniGBIC combo port.*
- OS6800-U24, Gigabit Ethernet L3 standalone fixed configuration chassis in a 1U form factor with 24 operational ports. There are 24 miniGBIC (SFP) ports and four 10/100/1000 RJ-45 ports. The last four miniGBIC (ports 21-24), and the four 10/100/1000 RJ-45 ports (also numbered 21-24) are combo ports providing a choice of copper or fiber.*(
*Combo ports on all models consist of four 10/100/1000 RJ-45 and four mini-GBIC ports. These combo ports allow the use of either the copper (RJ-45) port or the fiber (miniGBIC) port of the same number.
Modular External Backup Power
The OS6800 family uses a modular external backup power solution that provides redundant chassis power on a 1:1 basis.
The OmniSwitch 6800 family is Alcatel-Lucent’s first advanced, fixed-configuration Gigabit Ethernet to the desktop family of switches. They complement the existing portfolio of Alcatel-Lucent enterprise fixed-configuration workgroup switches which includes:
- OmniStack 6100 family switches: layer 2+ 10/100 stackable
- OmniStack 6300 family switches: layer 2+ 10/100/1000 standalone
- OmniSwitch 6600 family switches: layer 3 10/100 stackable
Alcatel-Lucent’s fixed configuration switches are part of the larger Alcatel-Lucent enterprise portfolio that includes the modular-based OmniSwitch 7700, 7800, and 8800 series of core switches. Together, this portfolio offers a complete edge-to-core solution with high availability, intelligent performance, and enhanced security in an easy to manage, flexible and scalable package. Alcatel-Lucent understands the need to offer investment protection and provides a limited lifetime hardware warranty on OS6100, OS6300, OS6600, and OS6800 families of switches.
Gigabit Ethernet
Many people get stuck on the term “Gigabit to the Desktop” because their focus is purely on speed and not on the other tangible benefits this class of switch can offer. The OS6800 provides an advanced, high performance feature set that is secure and easy to manage and provides the necessary network services to ensure the enterprise’s mission critical applications are always available and meet user satisfaction needs.
Future proof
The OS6800s address the need for future proofing and Gigabit migration because they maximize the bandwidth capabilities of existing cabling plants, support legacy 10/100 devices, and offer room for growth with optional 10G connectivity. With the value the OS6800 offers, a business can invest in the future at prices it can afford today. Additionally, the OS6800’s capabilities are not just for desktop connectivity. With a 160 Gbps switching capacity and a 40 Gbps stacking bandwidth, the OS6800 can be a very cost-effective distribution layer, server aggregation, or core switch. Plus, the OS6800L switches provide even more security for your investment by being upgradeable and stackable with other OS6800s. The low entry price allows you to improve your current network’s performance and later, through a software license, allows you to upgrade to GigE.
Secure Networking
The OmniSwitch 6800 can support a distributed security approach, enhance emerging security technologies, and help secure the LAN edge using proactive and reactive strategies. One proactive solution is to perform a host integrity check, which ensures attached devices are running administrator defined credentials. A host integrity check solution is significantly enhanced by the OS6800 because it can automatically move hosts that pass inspection dynamically into their proper VLAN based on the user, regardless of where they are physically, or move them into a protected environment where they could maintain limited access to network resources for remediation. Since every security threat cannot be anticipated, the enterprise also needs a reactive security solution that can respond quickly and effectively. When the group mobility feature in the OS6800 is combined with the Alcatel Quarantine Engine (AQE) and supported intrusion detection systems (IDS), the network can automatically detect attacks and take protective action such as writing a rule that drops the device’s traffic, turning off the device’s connectivity to the network or quarantine it to a protected environment.
High Availability
A high performance network means nothing if it’s not available for use. The OmniSwitch 6800 virtual chassis minimizes downtime, reduces operational complexity and cost, and increases availability for mission-critical applications. A virtual chassis takes the best availability attributes of a modular chassis like redundant management, fault tolerant backplane and link aggregation including 10 Gig that can be configured across physical switch boundaries. These attributes remove single points of failure that other stackable switches do not address. A cost effective, highly available, scalable, and re-configurable network can be achieved when the virtual chassis benefits of the OS6800 are deployed in conjunction with the OS6600 family.
Advanced QoS
Quality of service is vital for ensuring mission critical applications receive expedited forwarding which reduces the chance of critical data flows getting lost, interrupted, or experiencing excessive delay. The OS6800 provides the necessary hardware queues, intelligence and granularity to properly identify, mark, and prioritize data flows ensuring mission critical applications run smoothly.
Simplified Manageability
The group mobility feature inherent in the OS6800 also provides plug and play mobility for the wired user by removing physical limitations. The OS6800 can use device information, data traffic or user identity to automatically and dynamically keep the user connected seamlessly to their resources, regardless of their location on the campus. Marketing, finance, operations, and sales could all be in the same meeting at a common physical location, yet have secure and dynamic access to their respective network resources.
Along with improved productivity and greater user satisfaction, group mobility allows self-service, reducing IT operational costs. Once initial rules for classification are defined, further configuration or intervention is not necessary.
The OS6800’s virtual chassis design (up to eight switches) provides all the benefits of managing a chassis-based switch including: single IP address, simple and quick software upgrades and switch configuration changes, and a common look and feel with the modular OmniSwitch solutions.
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